The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1887-06-19


shadow had come between them.
But Myrtle had all 4 woman's pride and
so she kept within her own heart the
secret of her grief.
And Alice Amadine was well pleased
at the success of her subtle scheme, feeling
as she did, that Hugh was drifting slowly
and aimlessly into her tolls.
"Why should not?" he asked himself;
Zone woman will be very much the same
to me now as another, now that have
lost confidence in Myrtle. My mother is
fond of Alice, and think Alice will not
be unwilling to- be the mistress of Keppel
Towers"
And he made up his mind, one chill.
bright day, when the hard frozen snow
cleaned white in the valleys and the hem
locks were weighted down with feathery
fringes of peal, to settle the matter dein-
itely that selfsame evening.
''It will make my mother happy he
thought, land as for myself, what avails
lt?"
Yet, nevertheless, paug came through
his breast as he stood there, under the
year he and Myrtle had gathered mistle-
toe to adorn the great salon at Vennor
Grange.
Never again." he muttered between his
clenched teeth. my lost Myrtle, never
againl''
A light step on the cracking snow, the
CLEAN of scarlet cloak, disturbed the
melancholy thread of his meditations, and
turoing he saw that Myrtle Vennor herself
had emerged from the evergreen thicket,
on her way across the glen, and stood
there, with cheeks glowing with exercise,
and large, startled eyes.
MIR. Keppel!' she inEoluntarily ex-
ella med.
Myrtle" he responded, taken by sur
prise.
al did not know that you were here"
said she, in hurried accents. 81 hope you
are quite well. We are having lovely
winter weather. Good morning.,
And she would have gone had he not
put fortk his hand to check her flying foot
steps.
''Do not go, Myrtle" he said. 'sThere
is no reason why we should avoid each
other"
you have avoided mel'' she flashed
cut.
But will not hereafter" said he, try
ing to speak composedly. Besides, have
not yet congratulated you, Myrtle"
Upon what?" she said. Upon the loss
of my faith IN mankinds"
mo, upon your marriage"
MIR. KeppelI' she cried, flushing to the
roots OF her hair, "you are wlIfully insult
ing me-"
81, Myrtle?"
''Then why do you use such language
as that!'' cried Myrtle, wringing her small
fur-gloved hands. "Who should know
better Than you that-that have no idea
OF being married?"
''You cannot deceive me, Myrtle" he
said, sadly. "Alice Amadine herself saw
your wedding dress being made. She told
me-"
"My wedding dressr' For a second
Myrlles brow contracted with perplexity.
and then it cleared instantly. "Oh, | know
now" she cried, 'sshe must have meant
mammals wedding gown that Miss Tor
rance is remaking for the tabeaux vivants
next week. when | am to be Ginerva. in
The Old Oak Chest But as for nv be-
ing married, Alice Amadaine knew that
was not true
Her cheek kindled with crimson bio ON ::
her lip quivered; the blue lightning of her
indignant eyes was quenched in coming
tears.
Speak those words again, Myrt,ep'
cried Hugh, in voice that shook with re-
pressed emotion. LET there be no mis-
take IN matter thahis so vitaly essential
to my happiness. You are not to be mar
ried this next week?'
am not!" she answered, earnestly
He took the little trembling hand in his.
Sweet Myrtle. forgive me'' he said.
but my heart was torn with hot jealousy
and burning anguish, | believed that YOU
were lost to me, and life was scarcely
worth having without your love. Now lei
us begin the world over again. Promise
me, dearest, to become my wife, Let no
more cruel doubts rai,e up between us
foreyernore. Will you promise Myrtle ?"
And Myrtle answered, in ,arce audible
tones:
81 promisep'
Hugh Keppel's face was radiant when
he came back to tie round drawing room
at the Towers that afternoon. His mother
looked earnestly at kim.
Dear Hugh" she said you have had
good news?"
The best of news" be answered
News that Myrtle Vennor will become
my wife soon; news that the report of her
marriage TO any one else is unfounded!"
And as he spoke he looked full into
Alice Amadine's face. She colored deeply
under the scorching light of his eyes, but
she knew that it would be fatal to quail at
this juncture, or to show any conscious
ness Of her own guilt
Dear mev' said she, smiling as
graciously as ever, "what ridiculous stories
do get trumped up among the neighboring
gossipsl And SO you are to be married,
Hugh? am sure wish you every happi-
ness"
And no one who saw Alice Amadine at
that moment would have dreamed that her
life-hopes had been cruelty smitten down;
for women are heroes at heart.
Queer Birds of Yesterday.
A nnmhor Of larno n,,.l l., l.-..4;..-- IL.